Bashir's eyes on Australia: claim

October 28 2002By Mark Forbes

Abu Bakar Bashir was the mastermind behind a secret plan to include parts of northern Australia in an Asian Islamic super state, it is claimed.

Intelligence documents to be detailed on Four Corners tonight claim Bashir presided over the formation of the Mujahideen League in mid-2000. The league, with the help of Jemaah Islamiah, formed plans for bombings in the Philippines and against Christian churches in Indonesia, and plans to attack Western targets.

President Gloria Arroyo's National Security Adviser, Roilo Golez, has vouched for an intelligence report stating that JI had formed an organisation to conduct operations in Australia and Indonesia. It was one of four organisations formed by JI.

Mr Golez said Filipino intelligence indicated that JI's vision of a pan-Islamic state included parts of northern Australia.

The intelligence material names Bashir, along with JI's operations chief, Hambali, as the architects.